, 1887-12-15
GRAND JURY.
The City Authorities Severaily Gen.
tured.

the Fourth Judicial District, w. t.,
holding terms at Spokane Falls:
We, the grand jury impaneled at
this, the November (1SS7) term of
your court beg leave to report as fol.
lows.
We have examined on the part of
the United States four cases and ten
(lO) witnesses, and found one true bill,
and two not true bills.
We have examined on the part Of
the territory forty.six cases and 140
witnesses, and have found twenty.six
true bills and six not true bills. We
have examined the county records
and find the same kept in IA neat, or
derly and satisfactory manner. We
have also inspected the Offices of the
county treasurer and snerif and find
their books kept in clear, plain and
business like form. We have also
made careful examination OF the
county Jail and find the same good,
substantial building Of sufficient size
for present and prospective rse, and
kept in II clean, neat and orderly con-
dition. We would recommend that
the county commissioners provide II
suitable room adjoining the court
house for the use OF the grand jury.
We would further recommend that the
proper authorities put in n suitable
window in the south wall Of the fire
proof vault in the auditors Office, to
admit sufficient light, and dispense
with the coal oil lamp we found
burning there, as we consider said
lamp dangerous aud liable to cause
great loss OF valuable records in said
vault. The grand jury in investigat.
ing the auditors accounts, were struck
with the increased expense OF caring for
the county poor r,and on further inquiry,
have arrived at the conclusion that
the present system of caring for them
is wholly inadequate to the growing
magnitude of that interest, and so
much more expensive than it would
be if it could be central.
lied on Il county farm, that it must be
called extravagant. We therefore beg
leave to recomm End that the commits
sioners take early steps looking to the
housing of our paupers on a county
furm, while such can be bought cheap;
and further suggest that, as Il matter
Of present economy, some suitable
person, II resident of Spokane Falls,
be appointed to examine paupers for
admissions to the Sisters hospital
We have endeavored to investigate
gambling and all other matters charg-
ed upon us by your honor, but with
only partial success. We find u state
oi things existing, by and under the
authority of the city council OF SpO-
kane Falls that, if not criminal, is at
least very demorali3ing to the com
munity. For instance, under the
charter of the city of Spokane Falls
the city council are authorized to
suppress and restrain gambling and
houses OF illfamc." We find by ex-
amining the records OF the city mag
istrate, no action taken by the city
council on gambling, but SAID
records reveal the fact that
keepers OF houses OF ill.fame are reg.
ularly arrested by the chief of police
and brought before said magistrate
every three months and charged or
fined $50 10, practically, as understood
10y the defendants, for license or
guarantee that they may continue
their nefarious business for three
months longer unmOlested, provid.d d
they keep an orderly and quiet house
Whatever that may mean. We
would also invite the attention of
parties owning property in this city
and county in whose houses these
evils exist, to a closer scruting of oc.
cupants and business to be carried on =,
since to their indifference or cupdiiy
in these matters II great deal Of the
immortality now prevalent is attribut,
able. In conclusion, We call atten.
ton to a supplementary report sur.
nished by the Spokane county bar as.
sociatiOn, which receives our unani
nous endorsement. We also desire
to render our thanks to the court for
his clear and courteous directions
which have proved Of great service in
our arduous labors-to the prosecu.
ting attorney for his punctual, assidu-
Gus, and gentlemanly attentions to our
nvestigatiOns- to the clerk Of the
court to his prompt, affable and busi-
nesslike execution of our wishes-and
to the sheriff and his assistants, espec-
pecially our bailih, for favors not a
few.
Respectfully submitted
j. II. HUGHES, Foreman,
Il. G. LIBBY, Clerk.
Spokane Falls, Dec. 8. 1887.
The following supplemental report
was also rendered:
TO the Hon. George Turner, Judge
of the 4th judicial district of Wash
ington territory. holding terms at
Spokane Falls, w.
The grand jury empaneled at this
! term OF your court most respectfully
invite your attention to certain unwise
provisions of the criminal code, which,